GENERAL
A student has considerable freedom in planning his/her M.S.C.E. program. Guidelines for curriculum are established by each discipline group. The faculty has a great amount of formal training, practical experience and ongoing research in the following areas: Environmental engineering, water resources, geotechnical engineering, structures/mechanics, and transportation engineering. Well-equipped laboratories in these and related areas are available for research. Graduate students normally specialize in one of these fields (also referred to as "areas of concentration").
The College cooperates with the Mathematics Department in offering two courses, Mathematics 4037 and 4038, Mathematical Methods in Engineering (also listed as ME 4533 and 4563). These courses or any approved course in mathematics numbered above 4000 may be scheduled to satisfy the mathematics/statistics requirement of the M.S. degree or as electives in any graduate program. However, credit will not be given for Math 4037 if the student has received credit for either Math 2065 or Math 2090 (or equivalent courses).
All students are strongly encouraged to review and follow the Master's Program Checklist.
ACADEMIC PROGRAM
There are two options leading to the M.S.C.E. degree. The thesis option requires the student to complete a minimum of twenty-five (25) hours of approved course work and to submit an acceptable thesis worth 6 hours. The non-thesis option requires the student to complete a minimum of thirty-four (34) hours of approved course work and a Master's Report worth 3 hours. General guidelines for selecting courses in these two programs are given below.
Subject to approval of the advisory committee and Department, students transferring from graduate programs of other institutions can transfer a maximum of 50% credit hours of course work done.
Full time graduate students must register for the one credit hour seminar class (CE 7750) each and every semester. Part-time graduate students are required to register for this seminar only in their graduating semester. Only one hour of CE 7750 may be applied to satisfy the course requirements.
Thesis Option Requirements
Course work:
12 semester hours in the major field or interest
9 semester hours from a related field
3 semester hours of approved mathematics/statistics
1 semester hour of Graduate Seminar (CE 7750)
Total 25
Thesis: 6 semester hours of thesis
Non-thesis Option Requirements
Course work:
12 semester hours in the major field of interest
18 semester hours from a related field
3 semester hours of approved mathematics/statistics
1 semester hour of Graduate Seminar (CE 7750)
Total 34
Project: 3 semester hours of project (CE 7740)
For the thesis option, at least twelve hours of the required graduate work must be at or above the 7000 level (thesis and seminar credit hours are not considered towards satisfying this requirement). A minimum of 12 credit hours must be in civil engineering. The students pursuing the non-thesis option, will have to complete at least eighteen hours of the required graduate work at or above the 7000 level (thesis and seminar credit hours are not considered towards satisfying this requirement). A minimum of 18 credit hours must be in civil engineering. Courses numbered below 7000 (i.e., 4000) may be taken for credit if approved on the Graduate Degree Program. In some instances, courses may be added to a student's program (with no credit toward the M.S.C.E. degree) to correct deficiencies in a student's undergraduate education.
During a student's terminal semester, each student is required to pass a comprehensive Master's examination covering work related to research and course work. This examination will be administered by the student's advisory committee and may be oral and/or written. The Graduate School's Request for Master's Examination form (found on the Graduate School form page) for scheduling and reporting results of this examination must be filed with the Graduate School three (3) weeks prior to the date of the examination. This examination may be re-taken only once.
THE MASTER'S THESIS
"...The Master's thesis should demonstrate capacity for research, originality of thought and facility in organizing materials. It must be acceptable in subject matter and exhibit creditable literary workmanship..." -LSU Graduate School Catalog
To ensure an orderly and thorough procedure in thesis preparation, students should proceed as follows:
- Thesis Proposal
The student, after selecting the thesis topic in cooperation with his/her adviser, is required to submit a thesis proposal. Preparation and typing of the proposal is the responsibility of the student. The thesis proposal format should include:
Cover Page (Form G103)
Abstract (not more than 200 words)
Introduction
Literature Review
Objectives/Method
Scope of Study (state limitations)
Work Plan and Schedule
References
It is expected that an informative thesis proposal showing the student's interest, background and general grasp of the project will not be less than 5 and not more than 10 double spaced typed pages.
Thesis research proposals, for unfunded research, must include an estimate of computer and/or other costs associated with fulfilling the objectives of the project. Student should review this matter with his/her advisor so that a reasonable estimate of the costs can be included in the proposal.
The formal typewritten thesis proposal together with the graduate degree program (Form G101) should be submitted for approval by the CEGPC at least 2 consecutive semesters prior to graduation. The student will be notified of the Committee's decision and recommendations through the Chairman of the Department.
- Conduct of the Research
Each graduate student is responsible for the performance of the thesis research. Progress will be reported to the assigned faculty advisor on a regular basis.
- Preparation of the Thesis
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Instructions on the preparation and submission of the Master's degree thesis may be obtained from the Graduate School.
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The Request for Master's Examination form (found on the Graduate School website's form page) is to be filed with the Graduate School three (3) weeks prior to the date of the Master's Examination.
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Copies of the thesis must be in the hands of the student's examination committee at least two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled Master's Examination.
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The student is responsible for providing a finalized bound version of the thesis to the members of his/her advisory committee and the Department.
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An "S" or "U" will be awarded as the final grade for the thesis. This grade is not averaged into the student's semester or cumulative average.
Students should review the official Thesis and Dissertation Guidelines.
REVALIDATION OF COURSE WORK
Graduate student's coursework can be revalidated for master's degree older than 5 years and for doctoral degree older than 7 years subject to the following guidelines:
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Following an oral or written examination the student's graduate committee may approve by majority vote a course or courses it elects to revalidate.
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The student's graduate committee then recommends the revalidation of course/courses to the CEGPC for approval and transmittal to the Graduate School.
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Each class may be revalidated only for a period of two years. Classes for master's degree older than 5 years and for doctoral degree older than 7 years must be revalidated.